Amid consumer concerns about seafood contaminated with radiation, the Fisheries Agency is asking seven eastern prefectures and maritime organizations to be more specific about where their fish are caught.
Under the current system, fishermen can simply write down the ports where they have taken their fish and other marine products as the locations for their catches. For example, if fish caught off Hokkaido end up at Kesennuma Port in Miyagi Prefecture, the fishermen can say the fish were caught off Miyagi Prefecture.
The agency on Oct. 5 sent a notice for stricter standards to the prefectural governments of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba as well as fishing organizations, including cooperative associations.
It said the requirement was necessary because consumers’ interest in sea areas has grown because of the radioactive substances leaking from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
However, the notice is not legally binding.
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